West Ham United increase capacity of Olympic Stadium to 60,000 in response to ticket demand

West Ham United have announced they have increased the Olympic Stadium capacity to 60,000. The east London club are set to move from Upton Park, their home from 112 years, to the Olympic Stadium for the start of next season.

The Hammers' initial plan was for the stadium to have a capacity of 54,000 but the demand for season tickets has convinced the club to expand it even further, making it the joint-second biggest club ground in the country alongside Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.

Karren Brady, West Ham's vice chairman, is pleased the move will allow more Hammers fans to see their club in action. "Today's announcement is further evidence of the upward trajectory of this club," she said in a club statement.

"We are on course for what could be our most successful Premier League performance ever and our ambitions to finish in the top six and break into Europe are very much within reach."

West Ham found themselves at the centre of a lengthy wrangle about the stadium in the aftermath of the Olympics in 2012, with various alternative proposals for the venue being put forward by other parties. But Brady thinks it will prove to be the perfect home for the club.

"West Ham fans are famous the world over for their wonderful support. They have demonstrated this once again at matches this season and in the way that they have embraced the move to the new ground," the West Ham official said. "We are delighted to be able to reward that magnificent support by releasing additional season tickets and bring even more visitors to the Park to enjoy all that it has to offer.

"The 2016/17 season looks bright for the team, the club and our fans. Not only will we have one of the world's greatest new stadiums, but now it will be one of the very largest in the world's most-watched league – a stadium with both the quality and the capacity to match our ambitions."